Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

State of North Carolina•Pitt County, NC

71d

About The Position

This position provides individualized orientation and mobility (O&M) assessments and training for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. The role delivers instruction in specialized skill areas that support consumers in achieving their independent living, travel, and employment goals. Key responsibilities include assessing each consumer's needs, goals, readiness, and motivation to learn O&M skills, as well as evaluating their understanding of spatial and directional concepts. The position provides one-on-one instruction in areas such as sensory and concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted-guide techniques, cane travel, route planning across a variety of environments, soliciting assistance, using public transportation, maximizing residual vision, and applying low-vision or electronic travel aids. Additional duties include determining mobility needs based on prior O&M training, residual vision, individual circumstances, and physical or mental conditions, as well as identifying locomotor, auditory, visual, or other challenges and making referrals to appropriate specialists.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as (1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), or (2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, or (3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or (4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist as needed for the area of assignment; or bachelor's degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment.
Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind, including an understanding of their unique travel and independent living needs.
Knowledge of orientation and mobility principles and techniques, with experience applying O&M instructional methods in community or educational settings.
Demonstrated skill in teaching or utilizing cane travel techniques, including assessing readiness, introducing appropriate skills, and supporting safe, independent travel.

Responsibilities

Provides individualized orientation and mobility (O&M) assessments and training for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind.
Delivers instruction in specialized skill areas that support consumers in achieving their independent living, travel, and employment goals.
Assesses each consumer's needs, goals, readiness, and motivation to learn O&M skills.
Evaluates consumer's understanding of spatial and directional concepts.
Provides one-on-one instruction in areas such as sensory and concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted-guide techniques, cane travel, route planning across a variety of environments, soliciting assistance, using public transportation, maximizing residual vision, and applying low-vision or electronic travel aids.
Determines mobility needs based on prior O&M training, residual vision, individual circumstances, and physical or mental conditions.
Identifies locomotor, auditory, visual, or other challenges and making referrals to appropriate specialists.

Benefits

Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume